Four Corners

On January 6, the most sacred symbol of American democracy was stormed by supporters of Donald Trump, unleashing violence and destruction. As President Joe Biden takes charge, the Republican party is grappling with its political future. Defeated, disgraced, and now twice-impeached, Donald Trump may be out of office, but the anger he unleashed continues to threaten and America is watching for his next move. Watch Sarah Ferguson's return to Four Corners.

From PBS Frontline (USA). Just days after supporters of outgoing president Donald Trump smashed their way into the home of US democracy in a failed bid to halt the transfer of power, Joseph R Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. On Monday Four Corners brings you a political and personal portrait of the man now leading America. The program charts his rise from a hardscrabble childhood where he faced bullying and discrimination based on a severe stutter, to his discovery of the power of politics. Against the odds, he gained momentum and won the Presidency. Now he faces the huge task of uniting a bitterly divided nation.

The self-described defenders of Russia are determined to shut down anti-Putin sentiment in Australia as part of a propaganda war to remind the world that Russia is a force to the reckoned with. On Monday, Four Corners investigates the rise of a cluster of pro-Moscow organisations with ties to the Kremlin, establishing chapters in Australia. Experts tell the program that Russia has kept a close eye on Australia following the collapse in relations between the two nations in 2014, following Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine and the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. Those who know Russia well say Australia needs to watch Russia closely.

Kakadu National Park is supposed to be a jewel in Australia’s tourism crown. But despite its stunning landscapes, the World Heritage listed site is in crisis. On Monday Four Corners investigates accusations of mismanagement and neglect which have fuelled a bitter dispute between the park’s traditional owners and the authority that runs the park. Traditional owners are speaking out about their frustrations and they want all of Australia to hear them.

China’s President Xi Jinping is a force to be reckoned with. As leader of the Communist colossus, he commands the world’s attention but who is China’s strongman? How did he rise to power and what is his agenda? China specialists warn that countries like Australia were too slow to understand the challenge posed by the rise of President Xi. Prominent China scholars say that China has already fundamentally re-written the international rule book. The question is, how will the rest of the world respond?

“I have been subject to the most wild, intense, unrestrained series of accusations that I can remember in modern Australian politics.” Federal Attorney General Christian Porter “She told me that at the college that night she was raped by him.” Friend of the complainant “The only thing that I'm ever going to be able to say, and it's the truth — and that is that nothing in the allegations that have been printed ever happened.” Federal Attorney General Christian Porter On Monday, Four Corners brings you “Bursting the Canberra Bubble”. “I would have thought if there was an inquiry by a competent person without a political agenda, that that would be a way of stopping this trial by media.” Friend of the complainant

On Monday night, in a shocking investigation, Four Corners reveals how a sex slave cult has been operating in plain sight here in Australia. Vulnerable young women, cut off from their families and with every aspect of their lives controlled, have been turned into slaves. Now some of those who have escaped are speaking out to warn others. The program reveals how this cult has been recruiting and exploiting women for years. Now authorities are calling on the public for help.

When former coalition staffer Brittany Higgins came forward to allege that she had been raped in a ministerial office in Parliament House, it horrified the country. Her account of effectively being silenced for political reasons sparked outrage and condemnation of the culture of Canberra. Four Corners investigates how and why Brittany Higgins’ story was kept quiet for almost two years. The program examines the key questions of who knew what, and when, and whether there’s been a cover up.

From BBC "This World" (UK). In the early hours of February 1 this year, Myanmar's military launched a textbook coup, arresting the Nobel Prize winning political leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and many of her colleagues. Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy MPs had been due in parliament to confirm their landslide election victory over the military backed opposition. Instead, her arrest signalled that Myanmar's generals were back in charge, undoing years of political and diplomatic manoeuvring that had forced them to relinquish control. In this provocative portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi, some of those who once publicly supported her say she lost her credibility during her time in power.

The Federal Government is promising a gas-led recovery that will turbocharge Australian manufacturing and provide reliable and affordable power to households as our reliance on coal winds back. But not everyone is convinced. On Monday Four Corners investigates what is driving the Federal Government’s push for a gas-fired future in the face of considerable scepticism. Featuring interviews with key players in Australia’s energy business, from the Government’s hand-picked special adviser to gas company leaders and the nation’s energy security chief, the program interrogates the case for gas.

From This World, BBC Two (UK). On the 23rd of January last year Chinese authorities announced they were locking down the city of Wuhan, home to some eleven million people. The Chinese government was desperate to contain an outbreak of a new virus that would soon be labelled COVID-19. What they didn't reveal was that the virus had already been circulating for at least seven weeks while Chinese officials tried to stop the news of it getting out. Four Corners brings you an investigation into what the Chinese government knew about the virus and compelling evidence of a determined campaign to keep it under wraps.

Over the last twelve months, China has launched a wave of trade sanctions against Australia. Industry after industry has been hit with a range of punishing measures, from massive new taxes to import restrictions. As a result, many Australian products have effectively been banned from entering China, leaving the businesses that rely on this trade in peril. On Monday Four Corners investigates what's behind China's trade war with Australia.

Across the country, millions of Australians of all ages, play video games every day. They're among hundreds of millions of gamers across the world. Growing research shows many gamers struggle to switch off and can find themselves hooked on their virtual universe. The discussion about gaming and whether it can cause harm is often reduced to a simplistic debate. On Monday Four Corners goes deeper, bringing together gamers, major industry players and psychologists in an investigation that reveals the manipulative techniques used in many games.

Dr Peter Scott-Morgan is a renowned scientist and robotics expert. In 2017 he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), an incurable illness that attacks the body's nerves causing muscles to waste away. As the condition progresses, a person becomes 'locked in' — unable to move but still fully alert. Faced with this devastating diagnosis, Peter decided to use his skills to change his future. In this deeply personal film, Peter's quest to become a self-described 'cyborg' and his determination to live is truly inspirational.

The world of fashion has always traded on the desire of shoppers for the latest thing. Whether it's a new-season coat or a dress in an on-trend colour, the industry has been underpinned by consumers continuing to buy ever more clothing. Known as "fast fashion" this affordable but disposable approach to clothing has created billion dollar empires, but there is a cost. This investigation reveals the unglamorous, and in some cases illegal practices of the clothing industry. With millions of tonnes of textiles ending up in landfill, some in the fashion industry are challenging customers to change their buying habits.

As the horror year of 2020 drew to a close, Australians were told there was a way out of the pandemic. The federal government outlined a mass vaccination program that would see vast numbers of Australians inoculated against the virus by October 2021. Months on, beset by supply problems and hitches in the rollout, the government has abandoned its targets and faces accusations of having botched it. On Monday Four Corners investigates how Australia’s vaccine program rollout has fallen short.

Crown Sydney was spruiked as a world class 6-star resort and VIP casino development destined to become a jewel in the Crown casino empire. But when it finally opened to the public in late 2020 the man behind the project, gaming tycoon James Packer, was nowhere to be seen and the casino at the heart of the plan was not allowed to operate. The story of how both the casino licence and the building was approved is a cautionary tale. What followed was a textbook example of what big money, back room lobbying and political influence can deliver.

Twenty years on from the 9/11 terror attacks, one war correspondent returns to Afghanistan to try and make sense of the conflict. Graeme Smith travels back through the cities and provinces where he witnessed intense conflict and explains what it was like to have a bird's-eye view of history in the making. His reporting captured the brutality of the battles as well as dark and troubling incidents that cast a shadow over the mission in Afghanistan. Now he wants to see how life has changed for the Afghan people and if they feel confident that Afghanistan can find peace.

A family divided by QAnon. The extreme political movement has mobilised a committed band of believers dedicated to fighting what they claim is a war against corrupt child abusing elites. QAnon has vocal devotees in Australia.

The admission by the CEO of Australia Post that four executives had been given Cartier watches as a reward for a banking deal sparked a wave of indignation and damaging headlines. Politicians on both sides of the spectrum were quick to condemn the purchases and laid the blame at the feet of the beleaguered CEO, Christine Holgate. Within hours, Ms Holgate was gone but the scandal was far from over. On Monday, Four Corners investigates the turmoil inside Australia Post and what brought down its high-profile CEO.

Australia's biggest casino, Crown Melbourne, has attracted the rich and powerful from the day it opened its doors. It's also been a magnet for organised crime. Money laundering and criminal activity have seen Crown's operations put under the microscope in multiple inquiries, exposing years of illegal conduct. Crown is supposed to be subject to strict rules and regulations, so where was the authority in charge of keeping Crown in check?

In the world's financial capital, Australian Lex Greensill was every inch the corporate titan. With a company valued in the billions of dollars and a jet setting lifestyle, he mixed with the rich and powerful on a grand scale. Yet many Australians had never heard of Greensill until the company he founded came crashing down sparking one of the biggest international financial scandals since the global financial crisis. On Monday Four Corners investigates the rise and fall of the billionaire from Bundaberg and how his business imploded.

In 1953 the world stood in awe when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Mount Everest. Their feat inspired generations of climbers to tackle the mountain. But in 2019, when pictures emerged on social media showing climbers jammed together queuing to reach the summit, there was an outcry. The climbing season in 2019 was one of the deadliest ever, with eleven climbers losing their lives on Everest. In this gripping program, those on the mountain recount the dramatic events that unfolded on the world’s highest peak.

TikTok is a phenomenally successful social media platform with more than a billion users scrolling through its endless feeds. But there is a dark side to the world’s most popular app and a major investigation has uncovered disturbing evidence about how the app operates. A joint investigation by Four Corners and triple j Hack shows how dangerous content is being served up to unwitting users with sometimes devastating consequences.

For weeks, millions of Australians have been trapped by outbreaks of COVID-19 around the country. The number of infections is climbing with the spread of the virulent Delta strain. This type of outbreak is exactly what the nation's leading experts warned of when Four Corners reported on the failings in Australia's vaccine rollout in May. Their warnings have become a grim reality. On Monday Four Corners examines how Australia was left dangerously exposed.

From BBC Panorama (UK). Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we work and live in ways that were once dismissed as the stuff of science fiction. The technology has the capacity to improve our lives, but it also presents new challenges and potentially grave risks. In interviews with senior US military personnel and contractors, the program shows how AI is transforming defence departments around the world. Decisions made now on who will control this technology and how it will have a critical impact on our future.

Four Corners is the longest running series on Australian television and a powerhouse of investigative journalism - fearless and forensic, holding power to account for 60 years. The award-winning program has amassed 62 Walkley awards, seven of them the coveted Gold, as well as 23 Logie awards. To mark the program’s extraordinary milestone, Four Corners will broadcast a special episode with highlights from the show’s six decades. In addition to the broadcast program, a special collection of extended highlights from each decade, and selected programs, will be showcased on iView and our website.

Fox News is the brash cable TV network that has dominated both the ratings and the headlines in America, delivering revenue and power to the Murdoch family empire. On Monday, Four Corners investigates how Fox News became a propaganda vehicle for Donald Trump and helped destabilise democracy in the United States. Featuring Fox News insiders, the program reveals how the network's slavish support of Trump split the Murdoch family and spoiled Rupert Murdoch's succession plans.

On the night of the US presidential election, Donald Trump declared the vote was a "major fraud on the American people". Rather than face defeat, he, and his allies, began a campaign claiming the election had been stolen. In the aftermath, some high profile Fox News presenters gave a platform to Trump's campaign pouring fuel on the already ferocious political divide. Now their words and actions in the feverish weeks that followed the election are under scrutiny in multi-billion dollar lawsuits. The second part of this Four Corners special examines the case being made against high profile Fox News presenters and Trump backers.

In the baking Afghan summer sun, thousands of people made a desperate dash for the airport in Kabul. Their city was convulsed with fear after the country's leadership fled, leaving the Taliban back in the Presidential Palace. It was an inglorious end to the 20 year war effort to rid the nation of the Taliban. On Monday Four Corners takes you into the fall of Kabul. In interviews and videos from those on the ground, the program captures the drama and the chaos of the last 16 days.

The Jehovah's Witnesses are a religious group with eight million followers in multiple nations, including Australia. A knock on the door and an earnest offer to share their teachings is the only interaction most people will have with this god-fearing organisation. Few would know the extreme nature of their beliefs. On Monday, former members of this group reveal the secretive practices used to instil fear and maintain discipline among followers.

Around the world a new type of crime is being carried out and it goes right to the heart of what we eat. Food fraud is a highly lucrative criminal enterprise that affects a huge range of products. Criminal syndicates are infiltrating the global food suply chain, undermining the ability of consumers to trust what is on the label and what ends up on their plate. In this fascinating film, international food investigators show the many and varied scams they have uncovered and who is behind them.

For decades Australian soccer has operated in the shadow of the other major sporting codes. Despite its immense popularity as a community sport, it's struggled to attract the eyeballs, sponsorship, and the profile of the AFL and the NRL. Almost half of Australia's premier soccer clubs are owned or controlled by foreign entities, raising the question: Why? Who are they? And what are they getting out of it? On Monday Four Corners investigates the powerbrokers dominating Australian soccer.

In a major international investigation, Four Corners will reveal the secrets of the Pandora Papers. For months, more than 600 journalists from around the world, including the ABC, the Washington Post and the BBC, have been working with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists on a top-secret investigation. Their focus has been the world of offshore finance where maximum privacy is guaranteed for wealthy clientele. Despite authorities around the world promising to close loop holes and crack down on the myriad of offshore services, the investigation shows how this industry is flourishing.

In June this year, one of Australia’s biggest record companies, Sony Music, rocked the music world when it announced the sacking of its long-time CEO, Denis Handlin. His reign came to an end four months ago when he was fired as the company announced an investigation into its “workplace culture”. Now Four Corners can reveal the inside story of Sony Music, where fear and intimidation stalked the corridors for decades. Former Sony Music employees are breaking their silence to expose what they endured for so many years.

From France 5. For 16 years, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been on the world stage as a trailblazing leader. Now, after 30 years in politics and four terms in office, Angela Merkel has chosen to leave public life at the height of her popularity. No other world leader has left office at a time of their own choosing after such a long tenure at the pinnacle of power. Despite her stature and years in the spotlight, she has remained an enigma. In this fascinating portrait, the program traces Angela Merkel's life story and how she rose to power and wielded it.

Once upon a time, cosmetic surgery was only for the wealthy. Today, it's advertised and marketed as a perfectly normal experience for anyone who can afford it. Cosmetic surgeons have become social media stars with followers in the millions. But behind the glitz and glamour lie some ugly truths. On Monday, Four Corners, in a joint investigation with The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, exposes alarming practices in this multi-billion-dollar industry and reveals how the regulatory system is failing to protect Australians.

Across Australia, property prices are going through the roof, pushing the total value of residential real estate to a staggering nine trillion dollars. When the pandemic hit in 2020, there were fears the property market would collapse. Instead, house prices have risen at the fastest pace in at least three decades. On Monday, Four Corners tracks the property price boom that’s fuelling risky and irrational behaviour and investigates what is driving it.

The name Eddie Obeid once inspired fear. As a Labor factional boss, he was the ultimate backroom kingmaker. Today, his name is a byword for corruption and abuse of office. But the story does not end with Eddie Obeid behind bars. On Monday, Four Corners reveals how business is still booming for the Obeids and funding their lavish lifestyle.